The University of Ibadan (UI) has raised serious concern over the increasing trend of egg donation among its female students, warning of the potential health risks associated with the practice.
The Dean of Students, Prof. Keye Abiona, disclosed this during a live appearance on Diamond FM, a campus-based radio station. He noted that a growing number of female students are donating their eggs, particularly to fertility clinics, often motivated by financial gain.
Egg donation is a medical procedure in which a woman donates her eggs, typically to help couples struggling with infertility. While legal and considered a noble act in many parts of the world, the process is not without risks. It involves hormone treatments to stimulate the ovaries, followed by a surgical procedure to retrieve the eggs.
Experts have warned that repeated donation or improper medical oversight can lead to complications such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), infections, internal bleeding, and potential long-term reproductive health issues.
Prof. Abiona expressed worry that some UI students undergo the procedure multiple times without adequate medical guidance, putting their health at serious risk. “This is not to demonize egg donation,” he said, “but we are seeing a worrisome trend. Some of these students do it repeatedly, and that is dangerous.”
He urged fertility clinics and agents to adhere strictly to ethical standards, including proper counseling and thorough health assessments of potential donors. “These young women are not just statistics; they are someone’s daughters, and their long-term well-being must come first,” he added.
The University has promised to intensify sensitization efforts across campus to educate students about the medical and psychological implications of egg donation and to discourage exploitative practices.
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